Book extract: Prendergast: Legal Villain? Part 2/2

Read part 1 of this extract here. 

Colonial Beginnings 
The naive young man who landed at Port Phillip in 1852 was not the same man who arrived at Port Chalmers 10 years later.

Another reason was James’ decision to undertake only professional work in Dunedin instead of trying his hand once more at goldmining. With the added advantages of a formal law qualification and courtroom experience, James could flourish at the Dunedin Bar.

The first colonial adventure of James Prendergast nearly resulted in his early death. The fact that Prendergast returned to Australasia a decade later for a second colonial adventure demonstrated his tenacity and faith in the opportunities offered by the colonial frontier.

The Victorian adventure was to be the last time that the three Prendergast brothers would be together. Each brother took away different lessons from Victoria. James used the experience to become a colonial leader. Philip returned to England to practice as a London lawyer and presumably, learned that the colonies were not for him. Michael had high hopes of colonial success, but alcohol combined with a turbulent personality to break his spirit and destroy his career.

While James discovered that he was an indifferent goldminer and adventurer, he also discovered a penchant for administrative work.

If Prendergast had persevered in Victoria it is possible that he could have risen to high station. His quietly determined and stoic nature was well suited to the colonial environment.

In a world of quick fortunes, heart-breaking tragedy and rough politics, James Prendergast survived with confidence and health intact. Others, such as the Prendergasts’ friend, Dawson, were not so fortunate (as Michael describes):

You may have heard of poor Dawsons sad calamity. Having suffered reverses and vicissitudes of all sorts at the Taron diggings and having failed at the Bar at Sydney he arrived here 18 months ago with nothing but a wig and gown and a few pounds in his pocket. He was just in the right time. It took him a marvellously short time to establish a reputation which up to this time has gone on increasing both as an orator and lawyer.

As soon as he saw his way he wrote for his wife and family to come over and was anxiously expecting an answer. None however arrived till a month ago when he heard they had taken places on board the John Taylor – and shortly after the report of the shipwreck arrived.

It was a melancholy thing to see the poor fellow walking up to the Flagstaff to get the final confirmation or refutation of the report – at last bit by bit the worst was confirmed.

The suspense had worn him out already and the extinction of all hopes has altogether altered him. He has given up the profession and has gone to Ballarat with what object no one knows.

© Prendergast: Legal Villain? by Grant Morris. Victoria University Press paperback, $40. Reprinted with permission